1
No. 15 Vol. 8
T
www.themendhamnews.com
August 2017
Friends Of Pitney Farm Present Plan For Renovation
By Catherine Bialkowski he history of the township of Mendham centers largely around a historical site within its borders called Pitney Farm. This property, built in 1720- 29 years before the town itself was founded- has been around during civil war, two world wars, America’s Great Depression, and many other culturally significant events in United States’ history. In short, it is a crucial piece of Mendham’s past, and the Friends of Pitney Farm, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to the historic preservation
of Pitney Farm, has been working tirelessly since 2013 in its best interest. In its younger days, Pitney Farm, a place listed on the Morris County Heritage Commission Historic Site Survey, was a “huge, rolling estate,” as Peter Dumovic, a Trustee of FOPF, put it. Originally owned by brothers Jonathan and James Pitney, subsequently passed down through the family line, and eventually sold to the township of Mendham in 2009, the farm has a rich history. “It’s not 200 acres anymore,” Dumovic said. “Now, it’s 12.”
Of those 12, seven have been designated as open space. It has not quite been determined yet what will be done with the remaining five. In Feb. 2016, a fire destroyed part of the homestead, further delaying any plans to put the property to creative use. Investigators determined that the fire was started as an act of arson, and the town received $1.5 million. On May 10, FOPF presented a new plan for educational community use of the property, now referred to as The Pitney Farm Park and Homestead. At a town hall meeting, FOPF introduced a “win-win” solution as to how the farmstead might be used in the coming years. According to Dumovic, FOPF are prepared to “protect and promote” the seven acres of open space for community use as a public park. Visitors can sit outdoors, he said, in the rehabilitated gardens. “It’s a very tranquil place,” he said. “You can
sit there and imagine what it was like 100 or 200 years ago.” FOPF hopes to restore the homestead in order that some rooms may be used as a space for clubs and organizations to meet. Additionally, “we want to designate one of the rooms as a small museum to display memorabilia and historic artifacts,” said Dumovic. According to the farm’s website, www.pitneyfarm.org, some of the surviving portions of the home were built as early as 1722.
“I am personally excited about preserving and re-purposing a portion of the historically important Pitney Farm for the benefit of the community and future citizens in perpetuity,” Dumovic said. Initially, FOPF considered suggesting the construction of a library, arts center, or police department on the property, for Mendham residents’ usage. This plan, however, landed in disagreement. “The neighbors felt this plan would be out of character with the surrounding
neighborhood,” Dumovic said. They felt it might be too invasive, or might make the area too bustling. “So we backed off from that plan.” The plan to create a park and to designate renovated rooms in the home as community spaces seems to have garnered an overall positive response from residents. FOPF plans to begin fundraising for its efforts, but, as of now, has not yet reached its goal of $600,000.
Rebuilding Ralston Playground, Brick By Brick
T
he West Morris Junior Women’s Club, along with the Mendham Township Recreation Department, is looking for support in its effort to rebuild Ralston Playground with sustain-
able and permanent equipment that will last well into the future. The original vision for this playground as a historical representative of the Ralston area will be kept intact.
Their campaign goal is to raise $200,000 by collecting donations and selling engraved bricks. Standard sized bricks are 4-inches-by-8-inches in size and are priced at $200. Larger bricks are available
for $350. To purchase a brick, visit: https://www.bricksrus. com/order/wmjwc/. To donate, visit: https:// www.wmjwc.org/rebuildralstonplayground.